Napkin Decoupage Animal Themed Canvas

4 September 2018

Click here for a PDF version of this project.


  • Mod Podge ® Matt
  • Artist Board
  • Jo Sonja's Background Colour
  • Coloured marker, Soft pencil
  • Leftover patterned napkins
  • Floral napkins
  • Animal Printed Image
  • Water basin
  • Paper towels
  • Paintbrush
  • Squeegee
  • Scissors

How to do it

  1. Using a paintbrush, basecoat the wood panel in the Jo Sonja's Background Colour paint, in the colour of your choice. Let dry.
  2. Print two copies of your animal print-out. Cut out the first copy using scissors. Set aside.
  3. On the second rhino image, use your marker and draw lines to create sections on the animal where the different napkins will be glued later. Cut out the sections using scissors. These will be your templates for cutting the napkins. Set the templates aside.
  4. Now, use a brush to brush Mod Podge Matte onto the back of the first animal cut-out. Position the animal onto the panel and press into place. Use the squeegee to remove any air bubbles.
  5. Select a patterned napkin for each rhino template. Open the napkins and trace the templates onto the back using a soft pencil. Be sure to reverse the template so the pattern will be on the correct side. Cut the shapes out of the napkins using scissors.
  6. Remove the extra plies from the napkin shapes and position on your animal panel to make sure they fit where desired. If not, make changes.
  7. Apply a small layer of Mod Podge Matt onto the animal where you want your napkin to go and place the napkin down. Using a brush (wet with Mod Podge) smooth the napkin into place. Repeat this for all of the napkin shapes. Let dry.
  8. Using scissors, cut small flowers from your floral napkins. Remove the extra plies from the cut-outs and apply them to the animal’s head to create a floral crown, using the same Mod Podging technique as earlier. Let dry.